Addressing one of the most serious threats to the world today, Human Killing Machines applies the model of systematic indoctrination to case studies of brutality in Iran, Nazi Germany, AL Qaeda, and Abu Ghraib. This book reveals how these transformations take place -- how systems redefine morality to turn ordinary people into torturers, terrorists, and genocidal killers. Adam Lankford also provides a side-by-side comparison of these cases in six critical variables in order to identify key similarities and differences and the potential for strategic countermeasures. Based on this analysis, he offers recommendations for how we can begin to reduce AL Qaeda terrorists' commitment to their missions, reform the US military and increase accountability, and spark an awakening in Iran so that the oppressive regime goes out with a whimper -- not with a bang. (Publisher's description).